Legacy of St. Francis Celebrated By Community, Staff

Shakopee, Minn. 09/24/2007--More than 100 community members, board members, staff, physicians, donors, volunteers and friends recently celebrated the St. Francis Foundation’s 25th Anniversary. The private reception recognized, honored and thanked the many individuals who have been such a vital part of the Foundation’s history since it was formed in 1982. Since its inception, over 22,000 community members have invested their time, talent and resources to help the Foundation raise more than $5.9 million for hospital and community health programs.

A highlight of the evening was the opportunity for the community to pay tribute to the hospital’s new Legacy Wall located on the hospital’s main floor near the Chapel. The Legacy Wall project is the culmination of efforts from an employee committee, St. Francis Auxiliary, Shakopee Mdewakanton (Dakota) Sioux Community, Benedictine Sisters of Duluth, St. Francis Sisters of St. Paul, senior leadership, Scott County and Minnesota historical societies, and physician input. Molly Johnson, St. Francis Community Relations and project coordinator, explained that instead of a specific timeline, the group planned to do a timeless collage of people and places that built the foundation of St. Francis. “Pictures, prayers, and artifacts were carefully chosen to tell the story of how the people in the area used the land and innovations to build the community to where it is now, and all of the struggles and joys that come with that journey,” she said.

Homage is paid to the four Franciscan sisters who managed to borrow enough money to buy the Scott County Poorhouse for $2,000 in 1938 and the community visionaries that rallied community support. The Legacy Wall celebrates how the sisters and the community alike rolled up their sleeves and started creating a hospital and an important asset to the growing towns. Together they gave the community a place to welcome new family members, say goodbye to others, and mend the body, mind, and spirit.

The Legacy Wall also highlights the pivotal role the natural assets in the area have played in the successful growth of the community; for farming and shipping as well as recreation and enjoyment. “A special ‘thank you’ goes to the Foundation who funded the project and all of the donors who have given to the healing environment fund,” said Lori Peterson, RN, Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Patient Care at St. Francis. The Foundation also unveiled and offered a blessing for the new St. Francis Foundation Donor Wall which recognizes annual and lifetime giving. Tours of campus areas made possible through generous donor support, including St. Francis’ new Meditation Garden, were also part of the celebration.

For more information, contact the St. Francis Foundation at 952-403-2070.

About St. Francis Regional Medical Center

St. Francis Regional Medical Centerin Shakopee is a partner with Benedictine Health System, Allina Hospitals & Clinics and Park Nicollet Health Services. This unique structure combines the caring and compassion of a community hospital with the modern medical technology, specialties, and services found in the metro area. St. Francis provides a full range of inpatient, outpatient, and emergency care services on a collaborative medical campus with more than 30 other clinics and providers.

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